Metastatic colorectal carcinoma initially diagnosed by bone marrow biopsy: a case report and literature review

J Egypt Natl Canc Inst. 2020 Jul 17;32(1):30. doi: 10.1186/s43046-020-00040-6.

Abstract

Background: Colorectal carcinoma still represents a global health burden despite the advances in its management. The most common sites of distant metastasis from colorectal carcinoma are hepatic and pulmonary metastases while metastases are rarely reported to affect the bone marrow.

Case presentation: We report a 33-year-old female patient who presented with fever of unknown origin, bone aches limited to the lower back and pelvis, and pancytopenia. She was diagnosed by a bone marrow biopsy as a case of metastatic rectosigmoid carcinoma. Serum tumor markers were within normal ranges; CT, MRI, and colonoscopy confirmed the presence of malignant rectosigmoid mass with bone and ovarian metastases.

Conclusion: Though being rare, bone marrow metastasis should be suspected in colorectal carcinoma cases with abnormalities in peripheral blood count.

Keywords: Bone marrow metastasis; Case report; Colorectal carcinoma; Metastasis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy
  • Bone Marrow / pathology*
  • Bone Marrow Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans